In just three weeks Costa Rica will find itself in the upcoming elections, and the atmosphere in the streets of Costa Rica has ceased to be that of an ordinary summer and has instead become the epicenter of a national debate that will define the course of the next decade. The elections of February 1, 2026 are not merely a formality on the calendar; they are, for many, the moment to respond to the most urgent questions about security, cost of living, and the future of our educational model.

The electoral pulse has taken on a frantic rhythm in the last 48 hours. With the start of the final phase of presidential debates organized by the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) and the public universities, the 17 contenders who seek the presidential sash have intensified their tours across the seven provinces.

If something has become clear in the recent televised encounters, it is that citizen security has displaced any other topic on the agenda. With proposals ranging from the technological strengthening of the police forces to drastic reforms in the penitentiary system, the candidates attempt to connect with a population that views crime figures with suspicion.

While the candidates fine-tune their speeches, at the bus stops, in the coffee fields of the Zona de los Santos, and on the coasts of Limón, the tico talks, analyzes, and, faithful to its tradition, prepares for a Sunday of civic celebration that promises one of the most closely watched turnouts of recent years.

The coin is still in the air. Between continuity, radical change, or unprecedented alliances, Costa Rica looks into the mirror of its own democracy to decide who will take the helm of a country that, despite its challenges, continues to believe in the power of the vote.